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Thanks so much for the information, I feel much better about this now. If the ship uses this pharmacy, then I would think (as long as we are careful to get the correct strength of items) all should be OK...we already have the instructions from our regular prescriptions.

I will check out the email addresses given - thanks so much for taking the time to answer....we have learned so much from CC that it is amazing.

We went to the drug store at the pier where the woman that worked in a Wal-Mart works. I bought Retin A and was given a 3X5 card with an email of: medimeds@btl.net They should answer your questions since this was the address they said I could use if I wanted to order any medication. They may be able to tell you if you need prescriptions for the medication that you need.

My avatar picture was taken about 20 steps away from this store.

CWTC, I sent a message to the address you provided above and used the one I had in the cc line. The one I had bounced back but this one went through so she has a new email addy. Thanks for providing this one: medimeds@btl.net
Ms B

I know from personal experience that many of the routine medicines that need a prescription in the US do not need them in other countries. Case in point: I needed anti-amoebic in Guatemala... symptoms and treatment are obvious, and the local convenience store has the drug. It would be silly to have to pay for a doctor's prescription, but that is how it is here in the US (doctors have clout, you know.)

I went to the very same drug store that is owned and operated by husband and wife both pharmacy majors. At the time my Mother was taking vioxx at the cost of $80 per month (30 pills) and I got her 120 pills for the cost of $75. I also purchased for myself diet pills (youngest sons wedding was within the next 8 months) GREAT IDEA lost 30 lbs in no time and they did not bother me at all. I also got antibotics that I use for sinus infections, lomitil for diaherra, the amoxcillian liquid for grandchildren,retin a, pain medication compared to tylenol 3, just a pain pill with codein, muscle relaxers just a number of meds I use and she explaned EVERYONE of them to myself and my friend. Did not rush us told us prices up front, explained how to take, just the same things you pharmisist at home would do. Oh yes, I also got a WONDERFUL cream called Emugel that is for arthritis. Already approved for the US at the time but for the next couple of years. I can not say enough good things about this drug store. And the same Emugel that cost me $3 in Belize was $6 in Cozumel! S. Williams Sailing on the Holiday Sept.12 if the Port of Mobile is open! and Sept.24 on the Glory going back to BELIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I should have also said NO PRESCRIPTIONS needed for anything I could see. ****** was available and priced per pill they had a hugh sign above the counter with names and prices of all mediations. I also got some ambien (sleeping pills) no prescription! Susan W.

I also bought Hydrocodone, Amoxill, and Darvon in Belize. All packaged (sealed). The pharmacist at the pier is an American ( US schooled and licensed pharmacist) and is not a street drug dealer. They have nearly anything that you could ask for. The staff at the pharmacy are extremely knowledgeable and helpful (THEY ARE AMERICANS). This must be a common practice by cruisers because several passengers head straight for the pharmacy. I have a prescription here at home , but even with insurance it's cheaper in Belize. It's just a matter of choice. If you don't feel comfortable buying there, by all means don't.

Hydrocodone, Amoxill & Darvon, I find that a little hard to believe that you could buy that without a prescription, did you use your own doctor's prescription from home?

What are the names of the pharmacies and do you recommend one more than the other? We're going in early January, parents spend a fortune monthly on high BP and cholesteral drugs. Can you get BP drugs such as Diovan? Additionally, everytime I've been to Mexico, I've purchased rescue inhalers for my asthma...can you get Singulair or any other asthma meds?? My asthma meds, before insurance (and thank God I have it) are $960.00 a month. If we need prescriptions, our doctors have provided them before.

I was also amazed that sleeping pills, xanax, muscle relaxers, pain meds, all sorts of meds are sold over the counter. People were lined up in the pharmacy to buy the drugs. I only bought a few headache pills....One of the girls on the ship bought a 90 day supply of Ambiem....$1 a pill....I dont know what the cost is in the US. We were told that a 90 day supply for your own use is fine to bring back....I didnt read anything official stating this, just word of mouth.

I also bought Hydrocodone, Amoxill, and Darvon in Belize. All packaged (sealed). The pharmacist at the pier is an American ( US schooled and licensed pharmacist) and is not a street drug dealer. They have nearly anything that you could ask for. The staff at the pharmacy are extremely knowledgeable and helpful (THEY ARE AMERICANS). This must be a common practice by cruisers because several passengers head straight for the pharmacy. I have a prescription here at home , but even with insurance it's cheaper in Belize. It's just a matter of choice. If you don't feel comfortable buying there, by all means don't.

Did you need a prescription to buy all these? I guess I am confused on this post?

Did you need a prescription to buy all these? I guess I am confused on this post?

if it is a controlled subtance then a prescrition will be needed. (I dont know if the listed items above are a controlled item)
\ Most medicines that we use here in the states you need a prescription but not in other places. Cozumel is the same way. Lots of stuff can be had over the counter.

None needed. We bought anti-depressants, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, and ED medications. These are all things that we're prescribed for at home, but we had no scripts with us.

The one thing they don't carry is insulin type meds. The pharmacist said her nephew has to send to Miami for his insulin. She looked at my husband's insulin pen (he thought it was too old) and said it would be fine to use.

I was also confused.....before going....but a whole bunch of RX's are over the counter in Belize....Ambien, xanax, valium, lipitor, high blood pressure pills, antibiotics, pain relief....lots more....are available without an RX...just go in and tell the pharmacist what you want...This isnt the case in Mexico....antibiotics and a few other rx's are over the counter, but nothing like Belize...People were lining up to buy.

My ?? is.....The phamacist were giving their emails and telling people that they can order meds....can meds be ordered in the us without a script?

One of the CC members bought a 3 month supply of Ambien....The box showed the manufacturor and address to be the same as Ambien purchased in the US.

I was also confused.....before going....but a whole bunch of RX's are over the counter in Belize....Ambien, xanax, valium, lipitor, high blood pressure pills, antibiotics, pain relief....lots more....are available without an RX...just go in and tell the pharmacist what you want...This isnt the case in Mexico....antibiotics and a few other rx's are over the counter, but nothing like Belize...People were lining up to buy.

It is illegal to bring them back to the USA if you don't have a prescription for them. We live in Montana and people are getting in trouble going to Canada and doing this same thing. If you have a prescription, then it's ok.

DRUG PENALTIES AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: Penalties for drug offenses are strict, and convicted offenders can expect large fines and jail sentences up to 25 years. The purchase of controlled medication requires a prescription from a licensed Mexican physician; some Mexican doctors have been arrested for writing prescriptions without due cause. In those instances, American citizens who bought the medications have been held in jail for months waiting for the Mexican judicial system to decide their fate. The Mexican list of controlled medication differs from that of the United States, and Mexican public health laws concerning controlled medication are unclear and often enforced selectively. To determine whether a particular medication is controlled in Mexico, and requires a prescription from a Mexican doctor for purchase, please consult the website of the Mexican Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks at http://www.cofepris.gob.mx/pyp/estpsic/es.htm.

The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens not travel to Mexico for the sole purpose of buying prescription drugs. U.S. citizens have been arrested and their medicines confiscated by the Mexican authorities, even though their prescriptions were written by a licensed American physician and filled by a licensed Mexican pharmacist. There have been cases of Americans buying prescription drugs in border cities only to be arrested soon after or have money extorted by criminals impersonating police officers. Those arrested are often held for the full 48 hours allowed by Mexican law without charges being filed, then released. During this interval, the detainees are often asked for bribes or are solicited by attorneys who demand large fees to secure their release, which will normally occur without any intercession, as there are insufficient grounds to bring criminal charges against the individuals. In addition, U.S. law enforcement officials believe that as much as 25 percent of medications available in Mexico are counterfeit and substandard. Such counterfeit medications may be difficult to distinguish from the real medication and could pose serious health risks to consumers. The importation of prescription drugs into the United States can be illegal in certain circumstances. U.S. law generally permits persons to enter the United States with only an immediate (about one-month's) supply of a prescription medication. Further information on bringing prescription drugs into the United States is available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at " Know Before You Go ."

The U.S. Embassy cautions that possession of any amount of prescription medicine brought from the United States, including medications to treat HIV and psychotropic drugs such as Valium, can result in arrest if Mexican authorities suspect abuse or if the quantity of the prescription medicine exceeds the amount required for several days' use. Individuals should consider carrying a copy of the prescription and a Mexican doctor's letter explaining that the quantity of medication is appropriate for their personal medical use.

__________________
Family Cruise on the Paradise (Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Grand Cayman): 04/04/04
Family Cruise on the Valor (Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Martin): 04/09/06
Family Cruise on Celebrity Century (Amsterdam, Scotland, Ireland, St. Peter Port & Paris!) 05/29/08

Well.....they better have the paddywagon at the ports then....because lots of cruise ship pax were loading up on everything....I think it was even discussed at the shopping class on ship....I wasnt really paying close attention but I think they said it was ok if it was for your use, a reasonable amount.....i.e. no more than a 3 month supply.....I have great insurance....so buying pills in Belize or Mexico is not an draw for me....I just found the whole thing surreal and interesting to watch.

If you haven't educated yourself, do yourself a favor... know what you are getting into. It's worth spending a few moments of your time rather than 10 months in Mexican jail.

Is it true that I can buy drugs like Valium and Percodan over-the-counter in Mexico?

No! Not any longer!

Back in the Sixties and Seventies, before the Mexican government started enforcing the law, it used to be possible to buy most anything you wanted “over the counter”, without a prescription. Today, however, any drug classified as a controlled medicine cannot be purchased in Mexico without a Mexican prescription. This prescription must also be written by a federally registered physician. Purchasing a controlled medicine without a valid prescription is a felony (repeat: a felony!) for both the purchaser and the seller. (See Purchasing Prescription Drugs In Mexico, Part One. )

• Do Mexican cops arrest tourists with medicines?

Mexico’s laws governing medicines are similar to those in the United States. Possession of controlled medicines is legal as long as the medications are in a properly marked prescription bottle from a U.S. or Canadian doctor. You shouldn't have more doses in the bottle than are authorized by the prescription. If your meds aren’t in such a container, you must have a photocopy of a valid Mexican prescription. On the off chance that a cop checks your medicines, and your prescription agrees with the brand and quantity of the drug, the police should accept that the medicine is legal and go about their business.

When in doubt, just remind yourself that wherever you go in Mexico, the U.S., or Canada, controlled drugs need a prescription.

In Mexico, medications such as Valium, Vicodin, Placidyl, Ambien, codeine, and Ativan are not legally sold over-the-counter without a valid prescription from a Mexican physician. If you succeed in purchasing controlled medicines without benefit of a prescription, Mexican cops can bust you on a dope charge... and you can forget about bail. Several highly publicized arrests of Americans in Mexico leave little doubt, at least in my mind, that illegal purchases of controlled medicines may be a setup. The penalty for such offenses is usually six months to a year in an uncomfortable Mexican prison. Getting out of jail with a well-placed bribe may... or may not be an option.

From the US Dept of State:Avoid drug offenses.
Mexico rigorously prosecutes drug cases. Under Mexican law, possession of and trafficking in illegal drugs are federal offenses. For drug trafficking, bail does not exist. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Sentences for possession of drugs in Mexico can be as long as 25 years plus fines. Just as in the U.S., the purchase of controlled medication requires a doctor's prescription. The Mexican list of controlled medication differs from the U.S. list and Mexican public health laws concerning controlled medication are unclear. Possession of excessive amounts of a psychotropic drug such as Valium can result in your arrest if the authorities suspect abuse. Mexican law does not differentiate between types of narcotics. Heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, for example, are treated the same.Offenders found guilty of possessing more than a token amount of any narcotic substance are subject to a minimum sentence of 10 months in prison, and it is not uncommon for persons charged with drug offenses to be detained for up to 1 year before a verdict is reached.

You are correct.....A couple pax's tried to buy RX's in Mexico....i.e.....Cozumel and Playa and only antibiotics and a couple other things were available without an RX....but Belize is a different story....Belize is S. America....and these drugs were being sold very openly at the pharmacy in the secured cruise ship port....In my posts I was speaking of what I saw in Belize, not Mexico.